U-N-I has yet to develop a go-to guy but that’s just fine with coach Mark Farley because the Panthers have several. Quarterback Eric Sanders leads an offense that is averaging more than 40 points per game and 11 different receivers have at least one catch through four games and everybody is playing a role. He says Sanders spreads the field under their system and he says that makes them more effective.
Farley says having balance is a strength of their team and they plan to keep using it. He says they have two backs who haven’t rushed for 100 yards yet, but he says if they wanted to they could line up and run the ball. He says it’s hard to be too disgruntled when you score 40 points.
U-N-I will be on the road to play Missouri State, formerly known as Southwest Missouri State. The Bears are 2-2 and Farley calls them the most improved team in the Gateway Conference. He says they have some personnel that can make things happen and are a much improved team.
Missouri State lost at Southern in overtime. Bear’s coach Randy Ball says defending U-N-I’s offense is a daunting task. He says the key is not giving up the big play. Ball says with so much balance in the conference there will be close games every week. He says it will boil down to mistakes and turnovers, and he says his team has done a good job of avoiding those thus far.
The Panthers have won the last six games in the series.